New project for heavylift pool

HAMBURG/ROTTERDAM: RollDock and SAL Heavy Lift are to launch a capacity pool for Roll-On/Roll-Off and Float-In/Float-Out project and heavylift cargo from April 01.

The pool will consist of six geared dock vessels operated under the RollDock brand. Five will come from RollDock and one from SAL. Both companies will continue as separate companies and operate outside the pool.

SAL managing director Martin Harren noted: “Between RollDock and SAL we quickly saw the advantages of working together. Through a consolidation, we will see a better utilization of the vessels and because we share our network of offices and agents, we can offer global representation of heavy shipping disciplines.”

For the past decade RollDock has specialized in Roll-On/ Roll-Off and Float-In/Float-Out projects while SAL has over 35 years experience in project shipping solutions.

Commenting on the new pool arrangement, SAL commercial director Justin Archard said his company wanted to remain in the RoRo sector while leveraging its lift capability: “Whenever clients look for heavy transportation – with lifting, rolling or floating services or a combination – our setup offers them a one-stop-shop,” he added.

RollDock owns five dock-type vessels with three loading modes – Ro-Ro, Flo-Flo and Lo-Lo – and two ice-classed module carriers. The company also operates modern heavy lift cranes, Self-Propelled Modular Trailers and conventional trailers.

SAL Heavy Lift, acquired by the Harren & Partner Group last year, was founded in 1980 and operates 21 heavylift vessels with combined crane capacity ranging from 550 to 2000 tons.

Earlier this month Multipurpose (MPV) carriers AAL and Hyundai Merchant Marine announced they would begin a new liner service between Asia and the Middle East for breakbulk, project heavylift and general cargo shippers with five MPV vessels operating a scheduled bi-monthly rotation.

In October last year heavylift and project cargo ocean carriers BBC Chartering and Jumbo agreed to collaborate in a ‘Global Project Alliance’ while remaining separate businesses.

The two family-owned companies combine heavylift expertise and fleet capacity and said they would offer customers “best for project” solutions by joint bidding on specific projects.